Today, Congressmen Mike Bishop (MI-8) and Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statements in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement to allow Medicare beneficiaries to use smartphone technology with their continuous glucose monitors (CGM) without jeopardizing their access to Medicare services. Previously CMS could deny coverage for the use of CGM technology if the patient were to link their smartphone to the CGM. The announcement follows a bipartisan letter Reps. Bishop and Peters led to CMS Administrator Seema Verma requesting CMS consider extending coverage for this emerging innovation.  

“Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology for diabetes management has real potential to provide peace of mind and independence to patients and families living with this disease,” said Rep. Bishop. “The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ initial guidance did not allow beneficiaries to utilize their smartphones in conjunction with these devices, in conflict with how many use their CGMs. This announcement means patients will be able to use their mobile devices to share data and alerts with caregivers and loved ones – without the fear of losing Medicare coverage.”

“Millions of people who have diabetes and are over 65 can now monitor their glucose levels using the technology already in their pocket: a smartphone. This is the kind of innovation we should promote across the health care system to improve patients’ quality of life. People who receive Medicare should be able to use a smartphone app to share their health data with loved ones, separately or in conjunction with their device, without fear that Medicare will deny coverage for their glucose monitoring device. This long-overdue change is welcome news for San Diegans, and people across the country trying to keep healthy and manage their disease,” said Rep. Peters.

Led by Reps. Mike Bishop (R-MI) and Scott Peters (D-CA), the letter was signed by Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Jason Smith (R-MO), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Pat Meehan (R-PA), Diane Black (R-TN), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Denny Heck (D-WA), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Erik Paulsen (R-MN), Kenny Marchant (R-TX), Leonard Lance (R-NJ), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Susan Brooks (R-IN), Joe Barton (R-TX), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Dave Reichert (R-WA), Mimi Walters (R-CA), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Susan Davis (D-CA).

The full text of the letter can be read at this link.